COUNCIL CHAIRMAN

He distinguished himself in the service of society in different capacities beginning from the electoral ward to the federal government. As a councilor of the local government, he headed the Council Government, thereafter, served Enugu State Government as a Commissioner in various portfolios and in the federal government, Chinedu served as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TetFund).

Education At an early and appropriate age, Chinedu was enrolled into primary school at Community School, Ozalla Ezimo. On completing primary education, in which he recorded a Distinction in the First School Leaving Certificate Examination, he proceeded to secondary education at St. Theresa’s College (STC) Nsukka, where he held several positions, outstanding amongst them being the Food Prefect, given to students with proven morals and integrity.

Fresh from secondary school, Chinedu desired to be a teacher. He believed so much in the impact of teaching profession in nation building drawing inspiration from his father’s semi-formal educational and vocational training. To actualize this ambition, he gained admission to study at the then College of Education, Nsugbe, now Nwafor Orizu College of Education, Nsugbe where he obtained the National Certificate of Education (NCE).

The desire to know more led him to enroll to study Political Science at the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT). He had wished to study Political Science and Law, and since the two were offered as separate disciplines, at the end of his bachelor’s degree in Political Science, he went back to ESUT and completed the study of Law in record time of four years having enrolled through the Direct Entry.

Much later, drawing from his exposure to governance, he undertook further studies in Public Administration and successfully defended a master’s thesis for award of a master’s degree in public administration (MPA). For professional exposure and network, he enrolled as a member of the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON). Chinedu believes his education and little journey in erudition have paid off, in that he found the knowledge and interchange useful in his everyday life, be it as a politician, entrepreneur or public administrator.

Work Life Chinedu holds the view that he is one of few Nigerians who never carried a job-search file. It must have come by learning from his parents to be financially independent. Throughout his days in schools, he operated one of his father’s fleet of commercial transport vehicles, and from its proceeds, he made both ends meet. He only calls this a different model fashioned by his father for providing for his upkeep while in school. He grew up learning the rudiments of self-sustenance, personal fund management, accountability, and the rewards of saving and investing for the rainy day. Up till date, he has not sought to be employed by any agency or individual. Part of his life philosophy remains that with both hands and feet intact, (meaning, there is no physical handicap), survival is assured for the hardworking person. In his assignment and work as a Trustee representing the South East in the TETFund Board, he has been modest in demanding the due entitlements of the people of the zone. He saw in the board, upon resumption that the zone was the least in accessing the funds allocated to them. He knew that he had to be friendlier than his usual self in order to get things going. The Chairman of the Board, Musa Babayo had been very understanding and supportive, and with his kind guidance and that of the Executive Secretary, Prof. Suleiman Elias Bogoro, he has been able to have something to show for the zone to sing a different song. He knows it will sound monotonous to begin to delve into the details, but his efforts have been blessed by God and many institutions in the South East have received special allocations including College of Education, lkwo, Ebonyi State; College of Education Eha-Amufu, Enugu; Nekede Polytechnic, Owerri, 1mo State Polytechnic, Umuagwo, University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT). Others are Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Anambra State, Abia State Polytechnic, Aba Federal Polytechnic. Uwana-Aflkpo, Ebonyl State, National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Awgu Study Centre, NOUN Opi study centre, and Institute of Management and Technology(IMT), Enugu, among other interventions.

Political Exposure Chinedu foray into politics and resultant calling for public office is a dream nurtured quite early in his formative years when Jim Nwobodo, the then Governor of old Anambra State visited Ezimo, his native town. Being part of the reception as member of Boys Scout, on such a glamorous occasion. He was thrilled and prayed to God to allow him to be a part of such convoy in his lifetime. Such political ambition becomes evident in every level of his education. In the Secondary School, he was the Food Prefect, in the University he assisted in winning elections for his political groups and associates. He became the Coordinator of Enugu Youth Development Agenda, a vibrant organization that attracted the interest of then Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani, a platform that was entrusted with several responsibilities. Thereafter, Chinedu won the election for councillorship election in his ward, vied for the post of Council Chairman of Udenu Local Government Area but ended up as a the Transition Committee Chairman and four month later, was appointed a Commissioner in Enugu State between 2003 and 2007. As a Commissioner, he held different portfolios such as Youths and Sports Development, Public Utilities, Special Duties and Environment.

His activities in those ministries were outstanding such that it was during his tenure that the policy actions and law guiding Enugu State Environmental Sanitation Agency (ESAWAMA) was produced. Upon the transition to another democratic administration, He served as a Special Adviser to the Governor on Urban Renewal and City Beatification and later the SPA on Millenium Development Goals. (MDGs). Thereafter, he served as a Trustee representing the South East in the TETFund Board and later in the 2017, was appointed the Governing Council, Enugu State Polytechnic, Iwollo where he is currently serving. In his capacity as the Chairman of the Governing Council, the Polytechnic which had never been equipped and empowered is now being transformed to becoming a leading Polytechnic in the 21st Century. Marriage and family Chinedu deliberately chose 4th January, his birthday to formalize his marital Union with Candid, the beautiful and amiable maiden from Ifite-Dunu, Anambra State, and now Mrs. Candid Chinedu-Onu following their Christian Marriage. He never ceases to tell anyone that cares to listen that it his desire to marry his darling wife in the next life if reincarnation were true. The happy wedlock has yielded fruits having been blessed with NAZA, EMERIE, KAMSO and CHINEDU Jnr.